Development of the Great Barr Hall estate

1989-2000

In February 1989, the National Health Service sold Great Barr
Hall and 156 acres of lakes, woods and farmland to David Worth,
a Birmingham financier and property developer. Thus the historic
estate was split into two parts. He soon ran into financial difficulties
and Great Barr Hall ended up in
the hands of the Official Receiver.

2000-2003

Bovis Homes entered into a legal agreement with the Official Receiver
to buy this part of the old estate, subject to a favourable planning
outcome for the rest of the St Margarets Hospital site for housing
development.

2003-2012

On 2 September 2003, GBHall, this historic core of the Great Barr Hall estate was acquired for £886,000 from the Official Receiver by Mr Cyril Smith of Manor Building Preservation Trust. For the sale to go ahead it was necessary for Bovis Homes to transfer their interest, which they duly did in a Deed of Assignment.

The Manor Building Preservation Trust revealed it had plans to safeguard its future, bringing the building and grounds back into use as a tourist attraction. However little came of their plans and the building fell into decay.

2012-

In 2012 the the Hall and remaining Estate was purchased by a group of local residents. The new owners have said that they are ‘looking to move forward in a positive way which would deal with the Great Barr Hall and Park in a holistic manner, and to help facilitate a solution which would deal with the sites historic nature sympathetically and ensure the Hall and Park is sustainable for the long term. Lapworth Architects

By the end of 2012 the new owners had completed a consultation programme The new owners have plans to reconstruct the Hall and its estate.